Gen. Toshio Tamogami: Was Japan an Aggressor Nation? November 2, 2008

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Friday dismissed Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen Toshio Tamogami over his controversial essay denying Japan’s aggression against other Asian countries such as China and Korea before and during World War II.

Tamogami, 60, said that Japan’s actions before and during the war did not amount to aggression and called for authorizing Japan’s use of the right to collective self-defense, an action banned under the current legal interpretation of the Japanese government.

In the essay titled ‘‘Was Japan an Aggressor Nation?’’ Tamogami, known for his controversial remarks since becoming ASDF chief in March 2007, wrote it is ‘‘false’’ to accuse Japan of having been an aggressor nation before and during the war.

He described Japan as ‘‘a victim’’ that had been drawn into the Sino-Japanese War by Chiang Kai-shek, who led the Chinese Nationalist Party.

The then Japanese army was subjected to ‘‘frequent acts of terrorism’’ by Chiang’s party, Tamogami wrote. “The Japanese government patiently tried to bring about peace, but at every turn they were betrayed by Chiang Kai-shek.”

Our country is said to have invaded the Chinese mainland and the Korean Peninsula in the prewar period (referring to the period before and during WWII).

But surprisingly few people are aware (of the fact) that the Japanese army was stationed in these countries on the basis of treaties.

Even now, there are many people who think that our country’s aggression caused unbearable suffering to the countries of Asia during the Greater East Asia War. But we need to realize that many Asian countries take a positive view’’ of the war.

The Japan that fought the Greater East Asia War is held in high esteem’’ in countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

The International Military Tribunal for the Far East tried to ‘‘push all the responsibility for the war (WWII) onto Japan.

And that mind control is still misleading the Japanese people 63 years after the war. The belief is that if the Japanese army becomes stronger, it will certainly go on a rampage and invade other countries, so we need to make it as difficult as possible for the SDF to act.

Tamogami said in the essay that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941 after being caught in ‘‘a trap’’ set by then U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt.

The general also questioned Japan’s heavy dependence on the U.S. military for its defense.

Prime Minister Taro Aso, the supreme commander of the SDF, criticized Tamogami for the essay, telling reporters, ‘‘It is not appropriate, given his position, even though he published it in a private capacity.’’